Being successful in life and achieving a lofty status in your chosen profession isn’t something that will fall into your lap. Except for the select few who win the state lottery or inherit millions at an early age, hard work is generally how the majority of the population is going to achieve their career goals and retire comfortably. Unfortunately for the golf professional, working hard just isn’t good enough. In order for a teaching professional to thrive in the business, certain things must be done – “v” that will set you apart, switch you into a “higher” gear, and take you to the top.

Golf is like life. It’s easier to goof up than do what’s right and noble – easier to make a bogey than a birdie. Teaching golf works the same way. It takes a strong mind and a lot of persistence to set yourself above the challenges and limitations that you have as a person. Anyone can be a sinner however, being a saint is much tougher. Try some of these “saintly deeds” and watch your career soar into heavenly realms.

Saintly Deed #1 Keep Impeccablec

When “Joe” (last name “Hack”) comes to you with his reverse pivot, weak grip, and hunched posture (like a dog taking a poop), the last thing he wants to hear from you the following week is, “So what was it we were working on Moe? Or was it Joe?” Names, addresses, goals, physical limitations, strengths and weaknesses are examples of mandatory information every teaching professional should have on hand. Going the extra mile and updating a log book for each individual student with every lesson will not only impress your student, it will help you establish a professional standard that will set you above the rest.

Saintly Deed #2 Spend Time With Your Own Game

If you can’t hit it out of your own shadow you shouldn’t be teaching golf. You will gain the respect of your students, support staff, and fellow professionals if you can put your money where your mouth is. Having the skills to play golf at a world-class level is not a necessity in order for you to be an effective instructor, but it would do nothing but help your cause. Don’t neglect to maintain a high level of play yourself. “Chili-dipping” your demonstrative chip shots can be awkward and a little humiliating. Spend some time on your own with the game you love.

Saintly Deed #3 Look After Your Personal Life

Golf is a game within a game – the game of life. In the big picture, your family, friends and personal wellbeing matter the most. If you’re getting burnt out, it’s time for a break. Maybe a visit back to where you grew up or a trip to the other side of the country is in order. You will not be as good an instructor as you can be if you don’t look after personal issues. People who “have it together” are more capable of making a positive difference in the lives of others. Your students will appreciate the friendly, relaxed manner with which you approach their lessons. It may mean investing more time away from work to make you better at work, but it’s well worth it.

Saintly Deed #4 Get To Know Your Students

The basis for your career involves a relationship – the relationship between you and your student. You will gain the trust and support of your “clients” if they are more than that. A “client” is someone a lawyer takes money from. Your student should be more than a person with a thick wallet and a poor set-up. Asking questions about their work, hobbies, even their families can go a long way in building a long lasting relationship.

Saintly Deed #5 Yearn to Learn

There are two ways you can learn in life. One is independently and the other is with the help of others. Golf professionals should do both. Drawing on the experience, talent, and knowledge of others will enable you to integrate their expertise with yours. This will boost your career and help you to do things you couldn’t do before. Teaching the game and learning to improve your own skills will be a process that will last a lifetime. As soon as you become complacent in your knowledge, others will bypass you and you’ll be left in the dust. Learn from others through attending seminars and workshops, reading on your own, and talking to experienced teachers who can pass along wisdom that you can implement in your work.

Saintly Deed #6 Use Lesson Time Wisely

Diagnosing swing problems efficiently isn’t something just any 3-handicapper can do. It takes skill to see a golf swing, understand it’s strengths and pitfalls, and instruct a student to effectively initiate change through various techniques, all in short periods of time. If a student’s hands are not working properly on the golf club, spending half an hour talking about the benefits of the lob wedge would be a waste of time. Learn to diagnose efficiently and spend time working on areas that are relevant to that individual’s progress. It’s great teaching skills YOU want to pass on, but better if you pass on skills your student REALLY needs to know – sometimes there’s a big difference.

Saintly Deed #7 Treat Your Support Staff Well

Nobody likes to work for a jerk. The role of support staff is to do just that – support. You simply will not get that support you need if you don’t value, respect, and appreciate the people around you. Paying attention to their needs, thanking them for the work they are doing, encouraging them, training them properly, and basically recognizing the efforts they put forth will go a long way towards having a successful team on your side. Golf instructors cannot make it on their own. You’ll come out a winner if you maintain solid relationships with the staff at your facility.

To be a “saint” is challenging at work and in life. Remember, the deeds you do are reflections of who you are. Standing firm with integrity, honesty, and a willingness to change where change is necessary will take you to the top – into the “heavenly realms” where the streets are gold, the grass is green, and the coffers are full.

Doesn’t this sound familiar? Hasn’t your golf teaching pro told you something that you just couldn’t do? It’s your body that’s the culprit! So what should you look for in a golf fitness trainer?

Golf Fitness Credentials

I’m not a huge advocate pertaining to certificates on the wall. I believe in the “old school” approach is experience “on the street” in combination with adequate educational support.

At the least, a golf fitness trainer should have a college degree in either exercise physiology or sports training. Beyond that there are more and more golf fitness certifications popping up since it has become a lucrative career.What I think is equally as important is the golf fitness trainers knowledge of the golf swing and muscles involved from a biomechanical standpoint. All you need to do is ask one of these trainers about golf swing mechanics, and you’ll know in less than 60 seconds if they even have a clue.

Golf Training Experience

How many years has this golf fitness trainer worked in this specialty? I’m not talking about “general” fitness training; I’m talking about golf specific training. How many golf clients did he or she have or is currently working with? What kind of success did the golf clients achieve? Place a phone call or two and you’ll find out real quick.

Better Golf Swing

If you are looking to improve your golf swing power, mechanics and consistency…a credible golf fitness trainer can help you achieve these goals much quicker.

Why?

Because a golf fitness trainer will assess your physical limitations and golf swing faults and prescribe a golf strength and flexibility routine to eliminate these limitations and correct your golf swing faults.

Your body dictates your golf outcome! When you address the above concerns with the guidance of a golf fitness trainer, your golf swing will transform. Your body will finally do what you mind has wanted it to do all along!

Golf Fitness Commitment

One very important aspect a golf fitness trainer can bring to the table is adherence to your golf training program. Your consistency with your program will ultimately determine your outcome. Your golf performance will dramatically improve if you are consistent…and will not if you quit early or don’t give your body a chance to improve.

Your golf fitness trainer will be your key motivator! Reminding you of the reason to continue. A much improved golf game! Keeping the “end-goal” in mind makes the journey much easier.

I hope the information in this article has shed a little light on the importance of how a golf fitness trainer can help your game.